Foldable etagere

ABSTRACT

A collapsible etagere which, when erected, is constituted by a tier of open shelves. The frame of the etagere comprises a pair of spaced vertical poles which are bridged by a series of structural rectangles whose ends are attached to the poles, the rectangles in the series being equispaced from each other and from the upper and lower extremities of the poles to define shelf areas which are occupied by two rows of rectangular wings. The wings in each row are hingedly connected at points displaced from their inner ends to a respective pole whereby the wings may be partially outstretched from the poles to support removable shelves, or folded inwardly to collapse the structure.

United States Patent Schliemann et a1.

[ 1 Mar, 14, W72

[54] FOLlD/ABLE ETAGERE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventors: Louis 1 Schliemann; Jerome E. Borges, 140,394 8/1930 Switzerland .L ..21 1/ 148 both of 418 West 25th Street, New York, NY. 10001 Primary ExaminerFrancis K. Zugel Filed: y 1970 Attorney-Michael Ebert [21] Appl. No: 34,682 [57] ABSTRACT 1 A collapsible etagere which, when erected, is constituted by a 52 vs. C] ..108/111, 21 1/148, 21 1/177 tier of Open Shelves The frame of the eflagere comprises a P 51 1111.131. ..A47f 5/10 of Spaced vertical Poles which are bridged y a Series of struc- [58] Field of Search ..108/1 1 1, 101,911,5 9, 64, 60, rectangles whose ends are attached the P the 108/100 1 15, 157; 211/148, 177 173 rectangles in the series being equispaced from each other and from the upper and lower extremities of the poles to define [56] References Cited shelf areas which are occupied by two rows of rectangular wings. The wings in each row are hingedly connected at points UNITED STATES PATENTS displaced from their inner ends to a respective pole whereby the wings may be partially outstretched from the poles to sup- 2,993,604 7/1961 Sullivan ..2ll/177 X port removable Shelvesy or folded inwardly to collapse the 3,226,172 12/1965 Bateman..... ....108/60 X Strucmm 3,426,913 2/1969 Abatiell .....211/177 2,435,132 1/1948 DHoraene ..108/l0l 2C1aims,61111rawing1Fign1-es I I Z! i6 v P 20 26 i -12 A i. L? g Patented March 14, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lows F SCHLIE'MAIYIY BY devo ve 45'. 50060 S w m E W Patented March 14, 1972 3,648,627

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS lows f. Scuusmwy FOLDABLE ETAGERE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to upright cases or etageres consisting of a tier of open shelves, and more particularly to a collapsible etagere which may be readily erected to support removable shelves, or folded to provide a relatively compact structure which may be stored.

The traditional etagere is constituted by a cabinet having a tier of open shelves suitable for openly displaying vases, figurines, and other decorative articles. Since such etageres are generally made of wood frame members and shelves permanently secured thereto, the resultant structure is relatively cumbersome and old-fashioned.

The modern design trend in furniture favors lightweight structures employing high-strength metal frames in combination with panels of acrylic or glass material to impart a transparent, open quality to the structure. For this reason, conventional etageres have an appearance which is incongruous in a modern setting.

Moreover, since the contemporary trend is toward decor which may be quickly rearranged to suit changing moods, the need exists for furniture which may be easily stored or erected when the need arises. Thus sofas, chairs and other articles of furniture which are formed of inflatable plastic materials are highly popular, for one may deflate these articles when not in use. But in the case of an etagere, one cannot, for obvious reasons, use inflatable structures for this purpose, nor can one readily dismantle an etagere of standard construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is the primary object of this invention to provide an etagere which combines a collapsible lightweight frame with removable shelves to create a structure that may be readily erected or dismantled.

A significant feature of the invention is that despite the collapsible nature of the etagere, it is highly stable when erected and is capable of supporting substantial loads.

Also an object of the invention is to provide an etagere capable of supporting shelves in various dimensions, the etagere assuming any one of several forms depending on how it is erected, whereby the etagere may be set up to blend in with a given decor.

A further object of the invention is to provide an etagere which is both lightweight and strong, the basic frame being fonned by a pattern of open rectangular elements which, when used in conjunction with glass or acrylic shelves, impart a transparent and airy quality to the structure, having unusual decorative appeal.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an etagere of the above-described type which is of high quality and yet may be constructed and sold at relatively low cost.

Briefly stated, these objects are attained in an etagere whose frame comprises two vertical poles in parallel relation, which poles are bridged by a series of structural rectangles whose ends are attached to the poles, the rectangles in the series being equispaced from each other and from the upper and lower extremities of the poles to define shelf areas which are occupied by two rows of rectangular wings. The wings in each row are hingedly connected at points displaced from their inner ends to a respective pole whereby the wings may be par tially outstretched from the poles to support removable shelves which are adapted to pass through the wings or to lie thereon, or the wings may be folded in to collapse the structure.

OUTLINE OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an etagere in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the poles and structural rectangles forming the central portion of the frame of the etagere;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the upper wing units of the etagere frame;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the lower wing units of the etagere frame;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the connection between the wing units and the poles; and

FIG. 6 is a modified form of etagere in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an etagere in accordance with the invention whose frame includes two vertical poles 10 and 11 in spaced parallel relation. The poles and all other elements of the frame are preferably fabricated of metal tubing such as aluminum or stainless steel having a square cross section to produce a strong, lightweight structure.

Bridged across the poles is a series of structural rectangles 12, 13 and 14, which are equispaced from each other and from the upper and lower extremities of the poles to define shelf areas. While FIG. 1 shows a series of three such structural rectangles, it is to be understood that in practice, a greater number may be used to increase the height and capacity of the etagere. The structural rectangles 12, 13 and 14 are welded or otherwise attached to the poles at positions adjoining the inner ends thereof.

The shelf areas defined by the spaced structural rectangles are occupied by two rows of equispaced rectangular wings, the left row being constituted by wings 15, 16, 17 and 18, and the right row by Wings 19, 20, 21 and 22. While the wings are shown as having the same rectangular dimensions as the structural rectangles, in practice their dimensions may be smaller or larger.

The wings in the left row are hingedly connected to pole 10 at corresponding positions displaced from the inner ends thereof, whereby each wing is capable of being turned about the associated pole in a range going from a totally outstretched position, in which the wing lies in the same plane as the structural rectangle, to a position in which the wing is folded inwardly.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the left pair of upper wings 17 and 18 are joined together by a first brace 23 attached to the inner ends thereof, and a second and parallel brace 24 displaced from the inner end so that these wings swing together as a unit. The second brace 24, as shown in FIG. 5, is connected by hinge 25 to pole 10. The right pair of upper wings 21 and 22 are similarly interconnected by braces 26 and 27.

As shown in FIG. 4, the left pair of lower wings 15 and 16 are joined together by braces 28 and 29, and the right pair of lower wings 19 and 20 are joined together by braces 30 and 31, so that these swing together as a unit. The braces serve to support the hinges and to reinforce the structure without in any way interfering with the operation thereof. Because the lowermost wings rest on the floor, they serve as the base or splayed feet of the etagere and act to stabilize the structure.

Supported by the wings are removable shelves 8,, 8,, S etc., of transparent plastic material, such as acrylic or Plexiglas, or glass, which may be placed on top of the wings or within the wings. If the wings are positioned at right angles to the beams, the maximum allowable width of the shelves placed therein is equal to the distance between the outer ends thereof and the beams, but if the wings; are at an acute angle, the width of the shelves must be reduced accordingly.

Since one has a choice of many wing angles, it is possible to arrange the etagere to assume various configurations and one may elect to place shelves at various positions within or above the wings to obtain diverse design effects.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, the frame is built along the same lines as that in FIG. 1, except that the rectangles 32, 33 and 34 and the wings 35 to 42 are solid, not open. These elements of the frame may be made of hollow stainless steel slabs to afford a distinctive decorative effect. However, in this instance, the shelves can be placed only on top of the wings.

While there have been shown preferred embodiments of the foldable etagere of the invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and modifications may be made therein without, however, departing from the essential spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. An etagere constituted by a collapsible frame and removable shelves supported by said frame, said frame comprising:

A. a pair of spaced vertical poles,

B. a series of open rectangular structural elements bridged across the poles and fixedly attached thereto to create a rigid skeleton, said elements being equally spaced from each other and from the extremities of the poles to define a series of shelf areas,

C. left and right rows of open rectangular wings occupying said shelf areas, the wings in each row being hingedly connected to a respective pole at points displaced from the inner ends to define front wing sections and rear wing sections whereby the wings may be partially outstretched from the poles to support said removable shelves, or folded inwardly to collapse the structure,

D. a plurality of removable shelves formed of transparent material, some shelves being adapted to fit within the front sections of the open rectangular wings to rest on the lower reaches thereof, other shelves being adapted to rest on the upper reaches of the front sections of said wings, and

E. braces joining together two or more wings in a row thereof at the rear wing sections thereof, whereby said joined wings are swingable as a unit.

2. An etagere as set forth in claim 1, wherein said open elements, said open wings and said poles are all formed of metal tubing having a rectangular cross section. 

1. An etagere constituted by a collapsible frame and removable shelves supported by said frame, said frame comprising: A. a pair of spaced vertical poles, B. a series of open rectangular structural elements bridged across the poles and fixedly attached thereto to create a rigid skeleton, said elements being equally spaced from each other and from the extremities of the poles to define a series of shelf areas, C. left and right rows of open rectangular wings occupying said shelf areas, the wings in each row being hingedly connected to a respective pole at points displaced from the inner ends to define front wing sections and rear wing sections whereby the wings may be partially outstretched from the poles to support said removable shelves, or folded inwardly to collapse the structure, D. a plurality of removable shelves formed of transparent material, some shelves being adapted to fit within the front sections of the open rectangular wings to rest on the lower reaches thereof, other shelves being adapted to rest on the upper reaches of the front sections of said wings, and E. braces joining together two or more wings in a row thereof at the rear wing sections thereof, whereby said joined wings are swingable as a unit.
 2. An etagere as set forth in claim 1, wherein said open elements, said open wings and said poles are all formed of metal tubing having a rectangular cross section. 